​This term I have written and spoken many times about the joys of being back together physically after so many months of remote learning last year. I have focussed in particular on the activities and events that we have been able to enjoy together, the importance of re-establishing cross-age programs and the benefits of seeing parents and caregivers face to face once again.

We have been enjoying a re-engagement with singing across the School in recent weeks and as we were rehearsing various songs for Easter in Senior School assembly on Thursday, I was struck by the effect of the collective female voice. It is quite an experience to hear girls sing together – they can sound simultaneously powerful, angelic, inspiring and resolute.

It was a joyous morning today at Lowther Hall as we held our "Blessing of the Animals"! Girls in Raymond House brought dogs, cats, rabbits, fish (even stick insects!) to the blessing held by our Chaplain, Reverend Raike, and we gave thanks for them and the animals of the world.

​Physical activity can play an important part in keeping us physically and mentally healthy and so it has been a blessing to be able to return to sport together in a face to face context this term.

​Our girls are so fortunate to be part of a community in which they can build their confidence: being surrounded by adults who support and encourage them creates an environment in which they can take considered risks and speak out, preparing them to ultimately be women who can make positive contributions in the adult world.

​I have so enjoyed my interactions with various parts of our school community this week. On Monday, it was all about the Year 7 girls, who were having a fabulous time getting to know each other better when I visited them during their Tangara Day at Williamstown.

Today is our 101st birthday! Each year on this day we celebrate Founder Day, to commemorate not only our Founder, Archbishop Henry Lowther Clarke, but to give thanks for the many students, staff, principals, parents and friends of the School that have helped make Lowther Hall into the wonderful community it is today.

What a week! Last Friday our entire school community made the mental and practical adjustments necessary to start this week in “remote mode” with only our Kindergarten girls and the children of essential workers on-site.

The Premier, Mr Daniel Andrews, announced today that Victoria will commence a Stage 4 lockdown tonight (Friday 12 February) for 5 days. Unfortunately, this means that our scheduled School Tours day will not be able to proceed tomorrow, Saturday 13 February. We will be back in touch with our community about alternative arrangements as soon as possible.

The Victorian Government has announced renewed restrictions for the entire State in an attempt to control the outbreak of COVID-19 linked to the quarantine hotel at Melbourne Airport. This announcement includes serious measures affecting all schools. The mandatory measures, which come into effect at 11.59 tonight and operate until 11.59pm on Wednesday, mean all schools will revert to remote learning, with limited exceptions. Lowther Hall will be in remote mode on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week, with the exception of Kindergarten, which will continue to operate onsite. Onsite learning will also be available for vulnerable children in Prep to Year 10, and the children of permitted workers who can't work from home.